August 2015 - Q Magazine

AUGUST 2015
LGBTI
World
Lifestyle
Community
AUGUST 2015
Issue 126
q comment:
q.magazine.australia
Bare: A Pop Opera
A contemporary pop opera that follows a group of
high school students wrestling with issues of identity,
sexuality and religion at a Catholic boarding school.
When Peter and Jason fall in love, they must fight to
keep their relationship alive but hidden from the world
they fear won't accept them. With its rich, vibrant score that draws on many
musical styles from rock to pop, BARE is a beautiful, tragic story of defying
society, religion and the roles we play that mask who we truly are.
Directed by David Kral
Musical Direction by William Yates
Book by Jon Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolo
Music by Damon Intrabartolo
Lyrics by Jon Hartmere
Dates: Thurs 27 - Sat 29 Aug, Wed 2 - Sat 5 Sept & Wed 9 - Sat 12
Sept, 7.30pm
Venue: The MUST Space, Campus Centre, 21 Chancellors Walk,
Monash University, Clayton
Bookings: msa.monash.edu/must or via MSA Reception Desk,
Campus Centre, First Floor
Enquiries: (ph) 9905 8173
Prices: MSA $14 / Conc. $16 / Full $22
By arrangement with Origin™ Theatrical on behalf of Theatrical Rights
Worldwide, New York.
For more information see https://www.facebook.com/
events/1446477929013646
P ublisher & Editor
Bre tt Hayhoe
+ 6 1 (0) 422 632 690
bre tt.hayhoe@qm a gazine.com .au
Editorial / Sales & Marketing
editor@qm a gazine.com .au
s al es@qm a gazine.com .au
D esign
Uncle B rett Designs & Gra phics
Contributing W riters
Alan Mayberr y, Tasm an Anderson, B arrie
Mahoney, B rett Hayhoe, Alessandro R usso,
Bri and B edford
Cover picture
Jessi Lewis in Pretty Ugly with the compliments
of Tim othy Treasure
P ho togra phic C ontributions
Alan Mayberr y (q scene gh, q dra g),
Daniel Shelton Photogra phy (q scene
f l am ingos), Liz Nigol (q dra g), B randon Jam es C ook (q dra g), B riand B edf or d (q cruise)
s cenepics@qm a gazine.com .au
ISSN 1449-499X
Q MAGAZINE
P O B ox 7479, St. Kilda R oad,
Melbourne V ictoria 3004
www.qm a gazine.com .au
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
Q Magazine is a free publication and can only
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responsibility is accepted by Q Magazine for
the accuracy of advertisements and information
within the publication. All material forwarded to
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q feature: PRETTY UGLY
PRETTY UGLY breaks from tradition by deconstructing our self-constructed identities: what is deemed common now
finds itself reinvented. This is the stimulus from which to embark on an adult’s only exploration through identity,
sexuality, perversity and desire, and it aint no fifty shades of beige.
A medley in homage to
popular culture; from its postmodern inception in golden
times of Norma Jean, James
Dean and Andy Warhol, to
the present, where we idolize
the trashy mannerisms of
Anna Nicole Smith, Courtney
Love and Britney Spears; this
performance borrows from the
fast paced tempo of popularity,
the rise and fall of fame and the
superficial nature of celebrity.
Does this show seek to be
classified, or is it happy to find
itself in a place that explores
both the physical and the
psychological facets of ego? More comfortable being
less questioning, happily lost
somewhere between dance
and burlesque, farce and
tragedy: are we being laughed
at, or with?
PRETTY UGLY extends on explorations into new performance
methods by Melbourne based artist Jessi Lewis, in particular
Crossfade, his most recent collaboration with AñA Wojak,, presented
at The Bearded Lady and New Globe Theatre in Brisbane March
2015.
PRETTY UGLY
opens 11pm Wednesday the
23rd of September
Owl and Cat Theatre
34 Swanston Street, Richmond
$15 / $18
Bookings at http://www.
trybooking.com/145882
q youth: with TASMAN ANDERSON
Tassie’s Bucket List: #1 “Write a Best Seller” part 2
Did someone say, sequel?!? Just kidding. As many of you may know from my
column last month, I decided to split this bucket list item into two segments
because there was absolutely no way I could sum everything up in just one piece.
As I mentioned in the previous column, I recently signed a publishing contract for my debut
novel, Know Your Enemy and after months of edits, rewrites, book cover designs and more
edits, the book is FINALLY available.
I’m an author now. An actual, real life, author. That’s something that I didn’t think would
happen for a long time. You often hear stories about those who either find their success late
in life or in some cases, not at all. I would be foolish to say I didn’t feel that worry. I think it’s
normal for anyone who wants to pursue a career in the creative industry. You’ll always have
that fear hanging over your head that you’ll never make it and with that, comes a great sense
of failure. However, those who manage to navigate through it have the chance to see those dreams become a reality.
I had a mountain of rejection letters telling me exactly how terrible this novel was before my acceptable letter came through. There
were so many that I decided to make a collage out of them and hang it up on my wall. Whether it was motivation or insanity, it helped
to push me forward and now I have a 200ish page book with my name on the front and my words filling it.
Honestly, I didn’t think being an author would feel this way. I’ve spent the past three weeks jumping from extreme excitement to
sadness. The excitement is an obvious one but the sadness was a surprise. I didn’t understand how I could be upset when my
dreams were coming true. It took me a while to realise that I wasn’t sad because I didn’t want what was happening, I was sad because
it meant the end to this story for me. While there will be plenty more stories to come and hopefully a sequel, Know Your Enemy is
essentially finished and saying goodbye to my characters has been hard.
Although it’s goodbye for me, it’s hello for you. I’m so incredibly happy to be able to share this adventure with every single one of
you. I hope that this story brings comfort to those who need it or a good laugh at how ridiculous we all are when we’re sixteen and
freaking out about our future. So without further ado, I give you ‘Know Your Enemy’:
“Nicole is desperate to leave Silverlake, the small town she's spent her whole life in, and her plans for escape and her future career
are all falling into place. But when the local heartthrob Aiden points out the one thing holding her back, Nicole’s response sets off a
chain of bad decisions that leaves her second guessing everything she ever knew about herself.
Aiden may be devilishly handsome with a scent that gives Nic heart palpitations, but deep down she knows he is trouble. Before
long, she finds herself sitting in a stolen Porsche with her hand on his knee and blood on her shoes. Does Nic have what it takes to
survive in this unknown world, or is she letting her desires ruin her life?”
QUICK NOTE: The book is available for purchase at major online retailers as well as www.odysseybooks.com.au and www.
tasmananderson.com. If you wish to purchase the book from your local bookstore, all you need to do is give them a call and ask
for them to order it in.
q cuisine: with ALESSANDRO RUSSO
Garganelli cold burrata and dried tomatoes
Method
Boil pasta, drain and toss in the pan with the dried tomatoes cut into strips, garlic and
oregano.
Aside do dry slices of bacon on a grill pan, until they dry out, then crumble.
Add the burrata and crumbled bacon pasta now cold and stir.
You can replace the dried tomatoes with fresh ones for even more summer. If you do not find
the burrata mozzarella can be used, even if the end result will be less creamy.
q concert: CELTIC TENORS
Internationally acclaimed vocal group The
Celtic Tenors are the most successful classical
crossover artists to emerge from Ireland.
The group have performed their magic to capacity
audiences across the globe, singing a mixture of spinetingling classical, folk, Gaelic, operatic and pop classics,
delivered with glorious three-part vocal harmonies and
humorous banter. Shows through the USA, Canada,
Germany and the Netherlands ended in standing
ovations and rave reviews.
The Celtic Tenors – Matthew Gilsenan, James Nelson
and Daryl Simpson, came together in 2000. Imbued
with a sense of fun. They are terrific communicators moving seamlessly from one musical genre to the next.
The Celtic Tenors have performed with some of the world’s leading orchestras including The Toronto Symphony, The Cincinnati Pops,
and The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
In 2014 The Celtic Tenors signed a worldwide recording agreement with Decca Records Australia. Their first album under the Decca
agreement, Timeless includes songs ranging from musicals ‘Somewhere’ from Westside Side Story to a host of classic pop songs,
including ‘Calypso’ (John Denver), ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ (Elvis Presley), ‘How Do You Mend A broken Heart’ (Bee Gees),
‘The Boxer’ (Simon & Garfunkel) and ‘The Carnival Is Over’ (The Seekers). As an encore, there’s a live recording of the traditional
Scottish tune ‘Fionnghuaia’ – a tantalizing tongue- twister that regularly bring The Celtic Tenors’ audiences to their feet! Produced by
internationally renowned Australian record producer Charles Fisher (Savage Garden, Hoodoo Gurus, Radio Birdman), this record of
classic hits will be released on August 21st.
Also available on August 21st is The Celtic Tenors DVD – The
Homecoming – filmed at their homecoming concert at the
National Concert Hall in Dublin. This heartfelt and breathtaking
concert features performances of ‘Song For Ireland’, ‘You Raise
Me Up’, ‘Nessun Dorma’,’ Shenandoah’, ‘All Out Of Love’, ‘Time
To Say Goodbye’ and many more timeless hits.
Foxtel Arts will broadcast Celtic Woman concerts and the Celtic
Tenors TV Special and specials as part of Celtic Month. The
Celtic Tenors’ TV special will be broadcast on Foxtel Arts at
8:30pm on August 28th and on SBS 0n September 7th at
2:00pm.
2015 CELTIC WOMAN SEPTEMBER TOUR DATES
Friday 11/09/15 Gold Coast Convention Centre
Saturday 12/09/15 Brisbane Convention Centre
Sunday 13/09/15 The Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
Tuesday 15/09/15 Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre
Wednesday 16/09/15 Civic Theatre Newcastle
Friday 18/09/15 Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney
Saturday 19/09/15 Royal Theatre, Canberra
Sunday 20/09/15 Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
Tuesday 22/09/15 Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre
Friday 25/09/15 Perth Arena
STREAM THE ALBUM NOW ON TOTO
http://umusi.cc/Celtic-Tenors-Timeless-TOTO
q cabaret: A STAR IS BORED
‘A Star Is Bored’ takes a look at the pursuit of fame and the depraved things you’re willing to do to get there. Presented
by RL Productions, this cabaret follows Nick: Nick has it all. A set of legs to make any showgirl jealous, a fabulous
headshot and a brand new BA in Music Theatre. Having shifted to Perth to pursue his glamorous dream, graduation
and poverty force Nick back to the family home. Here life becomes an endless cycle of dwindling career prospects,
Centrelink appointments and Facebook stalking. Destiny calls when he finds a new source of artistic nourishment for
budding celebs on a tight budget- Reality TV. Nick is going to be a star…but making it in "reality" ain’t easy. ‘A Star is
Bored’ shows you the dark and depraved steps you need to take to become a practically famous d-list star.
RL Productions is proud to present the World Premiere of ‘A Star is Bored’ by the acclaimed award-winning Musical Theatre artist,
Nick Eynaud at The Butterfly Club from September 23rd to 27th during the Melbourne Fringe Festival.
‘A Star is Bored’ marks the Melbourne premiere for Nick Eynaud, having previously received acclaim for his original cabarets ‘Liza &
Judy: Together Again’ and ‘B.O.Y’, the latter winning the inaugural Jackman-Furness Cabaret Award in 2014.
Featuring original music and infectious parodies, ‘A Star is Bored’ lampoons even the most recent pop culture events; with tongue
planted firmly in cheek, Nick strives for fame on any reality show, even if it involves marrying a stranger, dressing up as a toddler or
burning a brioche. Whatever it is, Nick will do it. TLC is casting for Curvy Brides right now…he may have found his calling.
The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place (Off Little Collins St.)
September 23rd – 27th 2015
Full $32, Concession $28, Group (8+) $25
Bookings @ thebutterflyclub.com, Tel (03 9663 8107)
q theatre: SOUTHSIDE ARTS GARDEN
The Southside Circus and Theatre Arts Garden is back for 2015!
Drawing its inspiration from two of America’s most famous boardwalks in entertainment history (the infamous Atlantic
City, and the family friendly Coney Island), The Boardwalk Republic is the only South-side Arts and Theatre precinct
running during the much-loved Melbourne Fringe Festival. After the success of the 2014 launch, AfterDark Theatre and
Gasworks Arts Park are proud to announce the 2015 return of this popular celebration.
Running for three weeks from the 15th of September to the 4th of October, this year sees 13 outstanding companies come together
to present a Program Spectacular; offering up a lolly jar of works covering circus, theatre, comedy, cabaret, burlesque, magic, and
sideshow.
Wowing theatregoers within the iconic Gasworks Arts Park and buildings, the program is designed as a family friendly Arts Festival,
with free outdoor entertainment as well as a vibrant mix of ticketed productions.
Add to that international performers, new acts, stalls, nightly free events, food vans, music, visual arts and laughter and you have a
Festival that’s colourful, exciting, and accessible – The Boardwalk Republic literally has something for everyone.
15 September – 4 October, 2015
Events, dates, times and ticket prices: www.gasworks.org.au
Gasworks Arts Park: 21 Graham St, Albert Park, VIC
Please note: some ticketed productions are not suitable for children
q drag: KAREN FROM FINANCE
Karen from Finance has taken the comic drag stages of Melbourne by storm in the last year. Alan Mayberry first
thought she must have been the accountant at the GH, so he spoke to her to find out how this fascinating character
evolved.
One afternoon my friends and I were shopping at an
Op Shop before heading to a party later that night. We
found of rack of disgustingly hideous, gaudy gowns
for $10 a pop. We each bought one and wore it no
make-up, no wig, no heels, just the dress. After way
too many bottles of sparkling wine, we each came out
with the character that we believed would have bought
the gown when it was new. The lady that would have
owned mine was called Karen, and she was horribly
bland and lonely, but all the same formidable, and she
worked in finance. The name stuck, and a few weeks
later I dressed as Karen from Finance at a costume
party for my friend’s 30th. I looked like an absolute
monster and no one knew that it was me. That gave
me a sense of liberation and freedom to be and act
however I wanted, and I’d never felt anything like it.
It was powerful. For weeks after I started playing with
Karen from Finance and dressing as her at parties, and
that’s when I fell in love with her.
But back to my roots. I grew up in the south-eastern
suburbs of Melbourne, going to school in Dandenong. I had a really fantastic childhood. My 2 younger brothers and I all got along
really well, and we had a strong network of family and friends that we were close with. Our family was very social. When I was 14 we
lost our mum to a long battle with cancer, and it really shook us up. I’ve always been so touched and inspired by how most of the
family and our friends adjusted their own lives to stick by each other, and more importantly us. We’ve all grown up to be so different,
and I’m sure mum would’ve been a really big fan of Karen’s.
My family and friends were all mainly pretty good with me coming out. I waited until a few months into being 18 before I told anyone.
Once I put myself out there and realised what the world had to offer, I finally knew for sure that this was who I was going to be.
Knowing full well that some people had their suspicions, I hid my queer identity by making sure that I was always one step ahead of
the other boys in the ‘dating game’. In my group, I was the first at most things: first to kiss a girl, first to get a girlfriend, first to – well,
you know! So they were all too busy asking me what ‘the birds and the bees’ were like and for advice to concern themselves with
the idea that I might actually be gay!! (I love remembering back on that!)
I loved all kinds of performance growing up. I was in all of the school plays, I
attended a children’s drama academy, and worked on various projects and shows
with local councils. I NEVER could have imagined ever becoming a drag queen!
When I was growing up on the scene, drag confused me and grossed me out. I
was still coming to terms with being same-sex attracted, and I couldn’t understand
why other same-sex attracted men would then want to dress as the opposite sex! I
was baffled. But as I grew up and started learning more about the community, and
of myself, I formed an amazing admiration and appreciation for the art form. These
queens are people that are proud of their community and they have something to
say. They’re confident and comfortable with their sexuality, so much so that they are
able to put themselves out there in the extreme form that drag is, and say to the
world, ‘I am f**king fabulous!’ THAT – to me, is truly amazing.
My first ever performance was at a queer party called Pandora’s Box which was held
at The Liberty Social in the CBD. It was run by Olympia Bukkakis and Godzilla, very
new friends of mine, and absolute idols in the underground alternative Melbourne
drag scene. I performed a piece that I wrote where Karen gets fired from her job, and to this day it is still my favorite character number
to perform. Some friends and I started running our own party called Disco Abyss in 2013. Since first hosting that, and performing at
Pandora’s Box a handful of times, I moved on to performing parties with the Thursgay crew on Smith St, and eventually hosting my
own night, ‘Kram’ at The Mersh in Yarraville. Since being inducted into The GH family I’ve been hosting Trivia there on Thursdays, as
well as a few nights with the Ru Paul girls. The journey has all gone so quickly, and I NEVER thought that there would ever be a day
that I would be performing at The GH. My heart will always be tied to the alternative parties that I get to put on with my sisters and
friends – that’s where I was born, but the opportunities that The GH have offered are also overwhelmingly fantastic. I’m very lucky.
This year Olympia Bukkakis and I wrote a play, Karen & Olympia On Ice. It was kind of a response to the ice epidemic in Melbourne.
It was such fun writing and performing it. I’m hoping to do more shows like that, and I’d love to enter into the festival circuits. For this
year’s Fringe Festival, look out for Seen & Heard at The Butterfly Club!
It’s crazy how involved doing drag is. It’s SO expensive, and there’s no way to know the best way to execute anything. It’s all practice.
I still sit in front of YouTube for hours watching tutorials. I’ve spent anything between $4 and $400 on a wig, but my favorite costume
pieces/wigs/routines etc are always the fun ones. My attitude towards drag is that it actually doesn’t matter how flawless, pretty,
expensive or polished you look, it’s all about whether you are entertaining me, and how well you are doing it. If you are doing a spot to
show off a gown, then great – show off the gown. If you are getting on a stage to be funny, then god damnit be funny and entertain.
There’s no point spending money on looking amazing if you’re going to come across as a vegetable on stage!
Drag can sometimes impede on your personal life. Dolled up – it can be quite difficult to introduce people to the man behind the
mask. I am single, and have been for some time. I like being single. I find that a lot of the attributes that make a healthy relationship
I actually get with my housemates and friends. I live with two very close friends, and we’re basically in our own relationship – we just
don’t sleep with each other!
I’ve spent the last the 9 years working in and running bars and events. I really hope to open a venue of my own in the distant future.
I love the social scene – you’ll never see me at a gig without a flute of champagne in one hand and a shot of Jameson in the other!
I love the Drag Race show and what it has done for the community. I hosted screening parties in Carlton for the last two seasons,
which were an absolute riot. I’ve also been lucky enough to host a few of the girls when they have toured to Australia – Gia, Violet,
Max, Pearl and Ginger, and the support behind those shows is incredible. To me it’s very important to lace in local talent to the stage
on those nights, because the audience is often filled with fans who have never seen a drag show. As Australians, if we want to put
our drag on the pedestal like the Americans have done with Drag Race, we need the support of the community, and we need these
kids coming to the local shows and supporting our girls too.
q travel: with BARRIE MAHONEY
‘Twitters from the Atlantic’
Barrie Mahoney was a head teacher and school inspector in the UK, as well as a reporter in Spain, before moving to the Canary
Islands to launch and edit a new English language newspaper. He enjoys life in the sun as a columnist and author, and continues to
write a series of popular novels, books for expats, as well as designing mobile apps and websites to promote the Canary Islands.
The Man Friday Experience
Islands have always fascinated me, and I also love a good story, which is probably
why one in particular sticks in my mind. That book is Daniel Defoe's Robinson
Crusoe, which was first published in 1719. It is the story of a castaway who spends
thirty years on a remote tropical island. It is hardly a carefree holiday for the poor
man, since Crusoe has to contend with mutineers, captives and cannibals before
he is finally rescued.
Still, it was not all bad sailing; apart from his talking parrot, dog and goat, Robinson finally
met the potential lunch of a group of cannibals, who was shackled and waiting to be cooked
later in the day. After he rescued the poor boy, Robinson decided to keep him on as a kind
of ‘servant’ and named him ‘Man Friday’; after all he did find him on a Friday, and calling the
boy Justin really would not have worked. Robinson taught Friday the English language, as
well as advising him that cannibalism was not such a good idea when trying to make friends
and influencing people. Eventually, loyal Friday returned to England with Robinson where they
lived happily ever after. Or did they?
The exact location of Robinson's Crusoe's island has always been a bit of a mystery, with many saying that the story is based on
an island off Chile, some refer to Fiji, whilst others believe that a tiny Canary Island was the setting. I have even read an account
that claims it was based in Cornwall. Initially, readers thought that the book was an autobiography, but it was later discovered that
the story was based on the life of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish castaway, who lived for four years on the Pacific Island called ‘Más
a Tierra', which is now part of Chile. To add to the confusion, the country's tourism chiefs cleverly changed the name to Robinson
Crusoe Island in 1966.
No doubt Defoe intended the book to be just a good story and not an exact account of a real life incident, and so I guess the location
is really one based within the reader's imagination.
Personally, I like to think it is the Island of La Graciosa, a small Canary island, just a short ferry ride off the coast of the island of
Lanzarote. Most of the island's current visitors are those from neighbouring Canary Islands and Spanish holidaymakers. La Graciosa,
and 'Gracious' it certainly is, is a small, volcanic island, and one of the very few places where there are no tarmac roads, just white
sandy tracks; to use the old cliché, it is just like stepping back in time. The island and nearby islets form part of the Chinijo Archipelago
Marine Reserve, which is the largest marine reserve in Europe, as well as being an area of exceptional landscape value and beauty.
Motor vehicles are strictly prohibited on La Graciosa, other than a few special purpose vehicles. The island has a small community of
around 700 people living there, supplemented by a steady stream of day-trippers. There are few shops, and even fewer restaurants.
Indeed, in typical post World Financial Crash fashion, its only bank closed a few years ago. It is not an island to visit if your main
interest is shopping and nightlife.
However, if you like visiting beautiful deserted beaches, walking, cycling and admiring breath-taking views, this little treasure could be
just the thing to help blow away the stress accumulated from the outside world.
I doubt that many will find their ‘Man Friday’ on the island, since the nightlife is pretty poor, and the cannibals left long ago. However,
if you do visit one day, I am certain that it will be a visit to remember. Now, do please keep all this information quiet, because the
island really is a well-kept secret, and we don't want too many to know about it, do we? Meanwhile, do dig out that old copy of
Robinson Crusoe.
If you enjoyed this article, take a look at Barrie’s websites: www.barriemahoney.com and www.thecanaryislander.com or read his
book, ‘Expat Voice’ (ISBN: 9780992767174). Available in paperback, as well as Kindle.
iPhone/iPad and Android Apps: ExpatInfo, CanaryIsle and CanaryGay now available.
q cruise: THE PARTY OF YOUR LIFE
by Briand Bedford
This was the fifth time that The Cruise has taken place. It is organised once a year in
summer and by La Demence crew. LA DEMENCE is a crazy gay party that takes place in
Brussels once a month: mostly on a Friday, or sometimes the day before a bank holiday. At
Easter and at Halloween, a full party weekend is organised with several parties in different
venues. The club as well as the cruise attracts, beside the local Belgians, a lot of visitors
from France, The Netherlands and Germany, as well as hot Italian, Swiss, Spanish, British
and American boys. This year there were over 70 nations on the ship – an amazing mixture
of gay guys from around the world. In the club in Brussels as well as on The Cruise you will
not only hear many languages spoken, but the mix of different ages and styles partying
together: leather boys, fashion victims, muscle queens, drags, young and old – in total over
2000 gay guys having one hell of a party together. On the ship as in the club there is no
dress code. Suggestions are made according to the different parties on board, but nobody is
excluded from any events because they are no dressed up! The guys in casual wear are free
to mingle amongst those in their costumes. This is the concept of LA DEMENCE and it works
fantastically. The excitement before the cruise grew each day until everyone was totally
freeked out when they finally got on board the Sovereign in Barcelona harbour. There was
a special group page in Facebook for The Cruise with 1797 members. Long before the ship set sail from Barcelona,
many of the passengers had met online, discovered who their cabin partners were, exchanged tips about costumes
and caught up with friends who were on The Cruise the year before, because once you have been on The Cruise you
will be hooked and counting the days until the next departure! After the cruise this Facebook page was bombarded
with photos from passengers – so happy to have been on board and so sad that this fantastic week came to an end.
The M/V Sovereign was built in 1989 in France on behalf of Royal Caribbean. She has two twin ships: Monarch – operated by
Pullmantur and the Majesty of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean. Sovereign is the largest ship so far to accommodate The
Cruise. It was fully renovated in 2008, flies under the flag of Malta and can accommodate 2324 passengers (1162 cabins) and
820 crew. The crew was carefully selected, and because the M/V Sovereign, owned by Pullmantur, is based in Madrid with more
than 7,000 employees from around the world, many of the crew came from Central and South America. Another interesting piece
of information is that the gay crew were allowed to partake in the parties on board. This was the best party ever for many of them,
like Henry from Honduras who worked in the restaurant. He could be found at every party and in the evening in the restaurant. Henry
said he had never experienced anything like this before. He was not the only one!
The ship had a great fitness area and gym offering daily classes including Yoga, stretching, abdominal and fat burning – for those
who wanted to leave the ship with the same weight which they had on arrival. There was also a beauty treatment area, offering
massage, acupuncture and more. Although at check-in the procedure was the same as any cruise trip, the passengers finally got to
meet up with their friends from the previous trips. Already here one got the feeling that it was a big family reunion.
After inspecting the ship a quick snack in the Panorama Buffet was a must! The dining possibilities onboard were adapted to the
party people: there was always a restaurant open for those looking for something to eat. Breakfast was available from 7am to 3pm
and dinner from 8.30 pm until the show starts at 11:30 pm. And snacks were available around the clock.
The shows onboard were simply amazing. The highlight was LaDiva Live, a character created in Brussels, singing in English, French
and Spanish. She sings in different international events and has been on The Cruise from the very beginning. For this reason she
has an enormous fan base (rightly so), who all sing along with her. The atmosphere cannot be described. You have to be there
to understand why LaDiva Live is so popular. Other stars on board were Koka (from France) and La Prohibida (with her show in
Spanish). Other shows on board include two porn shows with porn stars from France, Switzerland and Germany. In the cabin there
were also two free porn channels with daily changing films as well as one channel showing international films with gay content.
The first day the sail away from Barcelona was at 6pm with a sail away T-Dance. LaDiva performed for the first time in the theatre and
there was a cabaret show with Maman, Boop and Marla. After midnight the Uniform party started on pool deck 11 with international
DJs Steven Redant (Spain); Chris Bekker (Germany) and VJ AlexEtJeremy (The Netherlands). The after party started at 6.30 am –
for those who had not had enough and who had not got caught up in the cruising zone on deck 11. The sun beds were packed away
each night on deck 11 and a camouflage net was thrown over these making a cruising zone, which was on the lower two decks,
accessible via steps in the aft of the ship. At night this place was buzzing and a good time was had by all.
On the first day at sea was the Mr Gay Cruise competition took place at 3pm on deck 12 around the pool. There were 16
contestants, most from Europe but some international contestants from Australia, Egypt and Palestine. I was lucky to be one of the
6 members of the jury! There were three rounds and the winner was Gil from Tel Aviv, second was Daniel from Copenhagen and
the third place went to Michal from Prague. This competition made the temperatures rise and got people talking to each other and
the T-Dance at 6pm with the theme “where are you from” helped to finally break the ice. On such a hot ship the only ice after this
was found in the drinks.
When speaking of drinks, I was amazed and delighted to discover that all soft drinks and water on board were free of charge. In
several bars on the ship we could enjoy a wide selection of complimentary freshly ground coffee. The alcoholic beverages were
extremely fair in price, including a special offer at dinner for white, red and rosé wines. In fact I thought these special prices were for
a glass of wine – later to be told it was for a bottle! It can truly be said that The Cruise did not try to overcharge for drinks – which
is generally a policy with most cruise ships worldwide.
After dinner the first porn show took place in the discotheque and the show “Magic of Cinema” was shown in the theatre. After
midnight the Bal Masqué (masked ball) took place around the pool with a temperature of over 20 degrees and a wonderful light sea
breeze. This magic location was the stage for most of the parties. The crew from The Cruise were amazing, setting up the lighting and
decoration for each party. The DJs topped this off with fantastic music. Everyone was in the mood to dance and enjoy themselves.
It was very contagious and soon the whole deck was dancing under the stars and the disco lighting, cooled down by the welcome
sea breeze. I have no idea who made it to the after party. A few guys with masks could be seen going back to their cabins as I came
back from breakfast at 9am.
On Monday at 9am we reached Palermo and had the whole day to discover the city. The city was hot – not just because 2 000
hot gay guides went on land! Busses waited alongside the ship to carry of the excursion guests. As I have been to Palermo several
times before I decided to ramble round in the city. I needed to find a café with WiFi so that I could put my photos on Facebook and
communicate with the outside world.
There was no T-dance that evening as we only left Palermo at 9pm. The theme of the party that evening was Fetish. Here the guys
had no problem wearing as little as possible. For those who did not have the right thing to wear, the shop on board was selling a
wide range of fetish wear and many other items that a gay man needs on a gay cruise! In the theatre the show was “a life’s journey”
where one could travel to different continents with music, dances and costumes of each continent.
On Tuesday morning we arrived around 8am in Lipari. Because there is no harbour, the ship was anchored at sea and we had to use
tenders (smaller boats) from the ship to the pier. Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the northern coast
of Sicily. This volcanic island is famous for pumice and obsidian, which is sold in every shop on the island. The 1556 fortifications
protected the main town as well as the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew. In this cathedral an interesting encounter took place. While
visiting the cathedral one of the cleaning staff invited me to take a look at the private rooms of the cathedral. After taking me into one
of these rooms and closing the door he proceeded to explain the use of this room. I noticed his hand suddenly started rubbing my
crouch. He was not turned off when I moved away, and continued to try his luck until I fled from the room, leaving the cathedral. I
spent the rest of the day in the beach at Canneto, enjoying the warm sea water. We departed from Lipari at 7pm. The sun was slowly
setting and the theme for the most popular T-Dance party on deck 11 was Disco. The music from DJ Paul Heron (UK) was once
again fantastic, with all the classics of disco from the 70ies until today. Later that evening the theme for the main party was Super
Heros, another chance to try out new costumes or simply watch those in costumes parade around the pool.
After a short night and only 90 natical miles (around 167 km) we arrived on Wednesday at 8am in Amalfi, a World Heritage Site
where the mountains dive into the sea. Here once again we had to be transported by small boats from the Sovereign to the shore
side. Here I had a planned excursion to Pompei and the volcano Vesuvius. After an amazing bus tour through the mountain roads
we reached Pompei - an amazing experience and thanks to our excellent tour guide Roberta we leant much about the ancient city.
Pompei is located south of Mount Vesuvius on the right bank of the river Sarno, about three kilometers from its mouth in the Gulf of
Naples and after the outbreak of the volcano on the 24th August 79 the thriving Roman city of Pompeii and the surrounding fertile
landscape was buried with up to six meters thick of ash. After lunch we climbed the volcano which is 1281 m high to enjoy the
magnificent view over the bay of Naples.
That evening we all had to get back to the ship early to get ready for the Ladies T-Dance for anyone and everyone who wanted to
try our drag and running around in high heels. Amazing music from DJ Kenne Perry (Belgium) and spectacular costumes made
this T-Dance my favourite. All ladies were invited to dine in the restaurants in their costumes. After dinner LaDiva gave her second
show and presented the winner of the “Miss The Cruise”. The winners came from The Netherlands and are owners of the shop Wow
Partykleding in Eindhoven. The theme of the party that night was NEON.
On Thursday morning we arrived at 8am in Sorrento, the last stop on our cruise before returning to Barcelona. Sorrento is a cliff-top
town, offering amazing views of the bay of Naples. On a clear day the Island of Capri can be clearly seen from here. Once again there
was no harbour for cruise ships and we were transported to land in small boats. We had the whole day to discover this small town
and the surrounding beaches. A short bus ride from the central bus stop takes you to the bathing cove called Bagni della Regina
Giovanna with its emerald water and separated from the open sea by a stone arch.
As we were staying in Sorrento until 9pm, there was no T-Dance that evening. The famous WHITE party took place on Thursday
evening, after midnight. The deck was all decorated in white, with flags and white decorations over the pool. The warm evening
breeze kept the flags and decorations alive. The atmosphere was magical. You have to be there to understand the amazing
atmosphere of a mega party on the pool deck of a ship in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. The party goers all dressed up in
white – of often reduced to white underwear. A mass of hot and sexy bodies dancing to heavenly music under the stars. Everyone is
happy, in party mood and one big family. The DJs Paul Heron (UK), Ben Manson (France) and AlexEtJeremy (The Netherlands) did
a fantastic job at this classic party – the last evening under the stars, with the highlight at 6:00 am where traditionally the partygoers
enjoy the unforgettable moment when the sun rises and the white clothes of those on deck stand in contrast to the colours of the
sunrise! The White After Party went on until midday in the ships discotheque.
Friday was spent at sea, en route to Barcelona. At 5.30 pm there was a “high Heel Race” around the pool with 500 Euros to be
won. At 6pm the Goodbye T-Dance took place where the passengers wore their favourite costumes from the week on board. Dinner
in the restaurant went off with a bang. Not only the waiters were sad that the week had gone by so quickly. After dinner there was a
farewell in the theatre – the Final Show with LaDiva and artsist. The crew, porn stars, Mr The Cruise and more came to say goodbye.
The evening party “The Last Dance” went to the early hours of the morning in the club. The Sovereign arrived in Barcelona harbour
at 8am on Saturday.
The Cruise is the most amazing experience I have ever had. It was fantastic to see how young and older gay men can have fun and
party for one week. It was a week where everyone enjoyed the diversity of gay life, the different personalities. Everyone had a great
experience and it was obvious that fun was had by all on board. The staff and passengers mixed and celebrated life. It was a very
well organised party, with so many funny moments. The Staff from La Demence have certainly got so much experience that made
this cruise a delight and by no means did I get the feeling that they were only interested in the “pink Euro”. The drinks on board were
very reasonably prices and the little extra such as free bottled water and coffee specialities added to my feeling of a very fairly priced
trip. Two days after getting back home I contacted the agents again, inquiring about booking for The Cruise 2016. If there is one BIG
party which you want to attend next year, make it THE CRUISE. I hope to see you on board!
q win: HOLDING THE MAN
Sony Music Entertainment Australia in conjunction with Goalpost Pictures is proud to announce the HOLDING THE MAN
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.
HOLDING THE MAN is a love story for everyone and reaches the big screen in Neil Armfield's breathtaking and moving adaptation
of Tim Conigrave's seminal memoir. Produced by Kylie du Fresne (The Sapphires), and written by Tommy Murphy who also adapted
the book for the award-winning stage play, the film is an inspirational journey through passion, tragedy and love.
HOLDING THE MAN makes a compelling argument for equality and an end to prejudice, and does so in the most convincing manner:
by telling a story of true love that will resonate with all who experience it.
The film features a stellar cast including Ryan Corr, Craig Stott, Guy Pearce, Anthony LaPaglia, Kerry Fox, Sarah Snook and Camilla
Ah Kin, and opens in Australian Cinemas on Thursday August 27th. The soundtrack is the unforgettable music as featured highly in
the film and combines Australian rock and pop hits as well as favourite international anthems from the 70s, 80s and more, plus the
stunning classical score.
Director Neil Armfield spoke of how the
soundtrack came to life. “The soundtrack
for HOLDING THE MAN was always
going to be rich in possibility, if only
because Tim Conigrave's own listening,
recorded in his memoir, covering two
decades from the early 70s into the 90s,
occurred in such an amazingly fertile
period for popular music. Working with
Alan John as composer, and later with
Paul Charlier as music supervisor, we
put together song lists of all the music
mentioned in his book, as well as a lot
of music Tim might have listened to, and
these became the soundtrack to my life
as I prepared to make the film”.
The HOLDING THE MAN Original Motion
Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack
of its generation - capturing musical
highlights of the periods in which this
epic love story is set.
HOLDING THE MAN Original Motion
Picture Soundtrack track listing
1. Sydney Philharmonia Motet Choir
And Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra
Conducted By Antony Walker - Gloria In
D Major, Rv589: I. Gloria In Excelsis Deo 2. T-Rex - 20th Century Boy 3. Roger Hodgson - Dreamer 4. Dragon - This Time 5.
Masters Apprentices - Because I Love You 6. Bronski Beat - I Feel Love 7. Dave Mason - Quasimodo's Dream 8. Pete Shelley Homosapien (Dub Mix) 9. Blue Oyster Cult - Don't Fear The Reaper 10. Kaarin Fairfax And The Wikimen - Too Far Gone 11. Rufus
Wainwright - Forever And A Year 12. Luca Crothers And The Sydney Chamber Choir – In The Bleak Midwinter 13. Bryan Ferry - Let's
Stick Together 14. Rockmelons - Love's Gonna Bring You Home 15. Alan John - A Pair Of Star-Cross'd Lovers 16. Alan John - The
Streak 17. Alan John - Floating Free/Christmas Angels 18. Phil Slater, Jackson Harrison, Brett Hirst, Toby Hall - The Secret's Out
19. Alan John - Bob's Descent Into Hell
We have ten albums to give away. To try and win, email [email protected] with Holding the Man in the subject line.
* All prizes are open to everyone, except those which specifically state you must be over 18 to enter. Entries close on the final day of each calendar
month with the prize draw taking place at 5pm the following day at Apt. 7, 16 Westbury Grove, St. Kilda East 3183. Names and addresses of
people winning prizes valued at or over $250 ONLY will be published in the following issue of QMagazine. All monthly winners are notified by email.
q scene: OUT & ABOUT
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q scene: OUT & ABOUT
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